Electrical cut-out



July 24, 1928. 1,678,187

W. H. ILLINGWORTH ELECTRICAL CUT -OUT Filed July 12. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet1 July 24, 1928.

W. H. ILLINGWORTH ELECTRICAL CUT-OUT- Filed July 12. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet2 Wily- 6, www/kww July 24, 1928. 1,678,187 W. H. ILLINGWORTH ELECTRICAL CUT OUT Filed July 12. 1922 s sheets-shet s 1' I e l I Q/ J a July 24, 1928.

W. H. .ILLINGWORTH ELECTRICAL CUT-OUT Filed July 12. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet4 July 24, 1928. 1,678,187

w. H. lLLlNGWORTH ELECTRICAL CUT-OUT Filed July 12. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet5 INVENTOR.

July 24, 1928. 1,678,187

w, H. ILLINGWORTH ELECTRICAL CUT-OUT Fild July 12. 1922 I 6 sheetsvhfetg6 v w QQ h Q Lg q i IIIII Patented July 24, 1 928.

UNITED STATES PATENT {OI-RIC WILLIAM HENRY ILLiNewoRTn, OF-HALIFAX,ENGLAND.

ELECTRICAL CUT-OUT.

Application filed July 12, 1922, Serial No. 574,573, and in GreatBritain September 26, 1921.

This invention relates to a non-fusible electrical cut-out such as thatwhich is described in my prior Patents Nos. 1,316,095 and 1,392,873 andwhich can be usedas a single unit, or in conjunction witha distributionboard, or with an oil, or air break switch and with direct current, oralternating current in any of such applications, and which as alreadyset forth in certain of the aforesaid patents entirely eliminates anysurge, or sudden rush of current when a dead short circuit takes placeand which invariably oc curs when the circuit is under the control of a'metal or a wire fuse, or a circuit breaker..

According to this invention, the cut-out when used as 'a single unit, orin con]unc t1 on with a distribution board is provided with means fortrapping any mercury that 1s thrown out of the passage by a shortclrcuit, orbad fault or overload andwith means for re-establishing thecircuit and for this purpose a stationary valve may be usedtopreventreturn of mercury to the column and the core may be displaceably mountedin the carrier for effecting the re-establishment of the circuit, or thebreaking of-the column may be arrangedto lift a float, or plunger whichmay actuate mechanism to release a spring which actuates a cap, orplunger to withdraw the column of mercury and prevent the latter frombeing accidentally remade until the trigger mechanism is reset.

The core is advantageously manufacturedfrom a high grade earthconta'ininga large percentage of clay, say for example'90% and a small.amount of felspar, silica and alkalies which have become intimatelymixed with the clay during the course of nature, the said materialsbeing entirely free of all metals, or metal forming substances, or anysubstances which when united, or combined with mercury or mercury vapourwould set up fulminate of mercury. .The clay to which an electrolyte hasbeen added is treated electricallv to extract certain impurities fromthe clay and render it capable of withstandinga higher temperature thanit otherwise would, it also causes the-clay to vitrify-at 100 C. lowertemperature than it would besecond firing the temperature is raised to1,450 C. and when the"firing is completed the cores are absolutelyhomogeneous and possess a very low percentage of porosity.

In applying the cut-out to'a switch, an operatmg member is actuated byexpansion, or breaking of the column to impart movement to tripmechanism for causing the switch to be moved to its 01f position.

/ In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a Vertical section of anelectrical cut-out constructed in accordance with this invention. l

Fig. 2 is a detached section of a combined baflle and operating membertaken. at right i ngles to the'corresponding part .shown in Figs. 3 and4 show a slightly modified- .Figs..5, 6 and 7 show alternative core con7 'structions. forhse in connection with either of the cut-outs shown inFigs. 1 and 3.

Figs. 8, 9, 10,11 and 12 shew. various views of two insulating holdersin which the cutout shown in Figs. 1 and 3 is adapted tobe encased.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section of a cut out provided with shock absorber.

Fig. 13 is a similar view showing a modified form of'shock absorber.

Figs. 13 and 13 are vertical showing two further. modified forms of"shock absorbers. v I I Fig. 13 is a section drawn to a larger scaleshowing a form of packing, and

sections Figsf13 and 13 are vertical sections showing the cut-out fittedwith an indicator to show when the circuit-is broken. v In the exampleshown in Fig. 1 a core A of refractory material is formed with arestrictd passage (1 between two larger passages a a and extendingaround such core is a collar a The upper portion of the core is threadedto screw or be cemented into a metal casing B which maybe construct edfrom phosphor bronze. This casing constitutes a chamber and a seating.fora stationary valve C which may also be constructed from phosphorbronze.v This valve is loosely mounted on two rods 0 which pass throughthe combined baflle and operating member D and are secured to a metalwasher or collar 0 The member D may be constructed from phosphor bronzeand is screwed into the casing B and the latter to-,

gether with the core A make a sliding fit in ,a body E which may beconstructed from ed from vulcanite, or other appropriate insulatingmaterial. The lower cap F is formed with a central stem f which makes asliding fit with the bore of the passage a and is recessed at a to giveincreased surface contact with the mercury. The portion of the corebelow the collar (1 is encased by a rubber sleeve G- which is flanged atthe bottom as shewn and resting on such flanged portion is a metalwasher g. The parts are normally maintained in the position shewn by aspring 9 "which exerts pressure between the collar a and the washer g.If desired a telescopic arran ement may be substituted for the rubber seeve. To utilize the apparatus it is charged with mercury, to or nearlyto the top of the valve O and the top and bottom contacts are connectedwith the electrical circuit which it has to control. In the event of anoverload, a short circuit, or a bad fault being set up, mercury in therestricted passage a vaporizes and throws out the mercury that is aboveit against the bafiie D, any gas that is generated by the vaporizationof the mercury escaping through the vent d. The mercury sodischargedcollects' 'on the top of the valve C and is prevented byaflange, c thereon from flowing back into the core passage and re-makingthe circuit. To re-make the circuit, the knob'al is depressed. Thisaction forces down the casing B and core A against the action of thespring 9 allowing the mercury on the top of the valve to trickle backinto the passagea. It also forces mercury in a through the restrictedpassage (1 to join the mercury in a and flood the top of the valveseating. When the pressure on the knob d is removed, the spring g'returns the parts to their normal position with the result that themercury is drawn through 'the core in the opposite dimotion and ensuresthe remaking of a solid column. At the completion of the movement, theseating comes against the loosely mounted valve and closes the jointbetween such parts. Figs. 3 and 4 the casing B is'formed with a tubularboss Z) which passes through a hole in the valve 0 and makes a slidingfit theresuch sleeve.

This movement moves the valve seating away from the valve C thereby y Inthe modification shewn in "short circuit, or a bad fault, the suddenwith. The baflle Dis also modified in shape, but its objectis the same,namely to deflect the mercury to the sides of the chamber so that itwill not drop back into the passage a In this construction when the knobd 'is depressed, the top of the tubular boss 1) comes level with, orbelow the top of the valve C; and allows any mercury that has collectedon the top of the valve to flow back into the passage (1 If desired thelower portion of d the core may be threaded (Fig. 5) to carry a metalsleeve, or socket g to receive the central stem f and take the pressureexerted by the spring 9 In a modified construction the collar (1 may bedispensed with and the casing B may "extend to the bottom of the core asshewn in Fig. 6. A metal thimble g imay be screwed into the bottom ofthe core for connection with the rubber sleeve G, or the bottom of thecore may be formed with a boss a (Fig. 7) for connection with of thecore being encircled by a rubber sleeve it may be encircled by a slidingtelescopic chamber, with an oil or other flexible seal to holders to aninsulating base and the milled nuts 9 can be actuated to perform theclamping operations, or be removed to enable the front portion Q to betaken off without disturbing the rear portion. The front portion Q canbe left unglazed andbe marked with the particular circuit that thatparticular cut-out controls, it also serves to cover the metallic, orlive part of the cartridge. In the modification shewn in Fig. 12 a shockabsorber H is provided to yield or give way when a short circuit, or abad fault arises and so reduce the internal strain in the core A. Forthispurpose a phosphor Instead of the lower portion bronze, orothersuitable tube a is screwed v rounded by mercury which makeselectrical contact with the cap F By this construction when the columnparts owing to a generation of gas forces down the phosphor bronze cap Hand as the upper end of the core passage is in op'en'communication withthe atmosphere,,the strain within the core is reduced to a minimum. Tore-make the the core when it again joins the mercury that fixed to thecore A. This tube is flanged had been thrown out of the core passageabove the restricted portion a.

In .the modified torm of shock absorber shewn'in Fig. 13 a phosphorbronze, or other suitable tube a is cemented, or otherwise at a to fitthe .bore of a cylinder H that is closed by a cap k which fits the tubea. The cylinder H is provided with a boss .or plunger k in which is arecess 72. The

cylinder so formed is slidably, mounted in a recess it formed in thebottom cap F and acts as a shock absorber through the intervention of'aspring b and a body of thick insulating oil which is contained in the recess h. The, core is normally retained in its upper position by a springa which is .ing a? Fi 13 in the stu vantageous y made in two portionskept weaker than the spring between the flange a and the cap 72. is asmall body of insulating oil which-is not suflicient to impede themovement of the shock absorber H. When the latter is forced down bygeneration of gas in the mercurial column, the spring h is comressed andinsulating oil that is displaced y the boss or plunger 72. compressesair in. the recess h. vTo remake the "circuit, the kllOllkd isdepressed, thereby lowering the core and displacing the mercury in thecvlin der H. Instead of the latter being filled with mercury as shewn inFig. 13, it may have a central chamber kflFig. 13 for the mercury andthe collar a may be fitted with a tube 11 arranged to make a telescopicjoint with the wall of the chamber h the interior of the chamber H beingfilled with insulating oil to a level that covers the top of the chamberk.

In the modification shewn in Fig. 13 the tube a is advantageouslyconstructed from steel and cemented or otherwise fixed in the oore andprovided with a metal disc a which is insulated from the metal casing Bhe by a ring a of insulating material. tube a passes through a stutfingbox a in a tube (1 that may be constructed from phosphor bronze and isscrewed on to a central boss in the bottom ca F The packg box isadseparate by "a spring a which exerts pressure against two washers a.Encircling the tube a" is a spring a which exerts pressure against themetal disc a" and normally re- 71. and interposed tains the core in itsupper position. Mounted in the tube a and making a sliding fit therewithand with the boss on the bottom cap F is a hollow plunger H whichconstitutes the shock absorber and is retained in its upper position bya spring 1L5 that is made stronger than the spring a. Figs. 13 and 13shew the knob d fitted with an'indicator P that is automaticallyactuated by vaporization of mercury in the passage'a to rise above thetop of the knob d and remain in this position thereby indicating thatthe circuit is broken. In 'Fig.

13 a rod 3) is slidably mounted in relation to s this knob (Z and has ahead 30 at the top and a plate or valve 79 at the bottom. Thls rodpasses through the stem of the operat- I mg, member D and one or morevents d in the latter are closed by-a spring clip 9 The indicator P isslidably mounted in the knob and comprises a plunger ,having a flange pand an annular groove p Interposed between the flange p and a cap 32 isa spring p which-normally tends to keep the plunger in the positionshewn. lVhen the mercury vaporizes, the rod 0 is forced up by theact-ion of the mercury on the plate or valve 32 The head'p strikesthe'bottom of the indicator and forces the latter up against the actionof the spring p until the annular groove is engaged by spring clips 79which retain the plunger in its raised position. Gas generated byvaporization of mercury escapes through the vent d and the rod 72returns to the position shewnby gravity. To remake the circuit, theindicator P is 'pushd flush with the top of the 'knob and the downwardmovement of the latter is completed in the ordinary way. As theindicator is pushed flush with the top of the knob, the annular grooye pdisengages the spring clips 79 and the spring 2) forces the indicatordown to the position shewn. Should a fault, or overload occur whilst theknob is being pressed down, the

apparatus will operate in the manner described and the indicator willstrike the line gel or hand of the operator. The portion of t e'indicator which projects above the top of the knob may be painted red.The apparatus shewn in Fig. 13 is the same as that described withreference to Fig. 13 with the exception that the rod p is mounted in thecasing of a fixed valve C and the knob (1 transmits motion to the casingB through the action of screws D which in this case .constitute' theoperating member. The

upper part of the valve casing is formed with a vent d for the escape ofgas to the atmosphere.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent inthe United States is:- I g 1. In an electrical cut-out in which a columnof conducting liquid constitutesthe circuit breaking element, thecombinationof a tubular body, a metal contact situated at each endof'such body, a chamber slidably mounted in the tubularbody, atubularcore of refractory material rigidly connected to such chamber, 'avalve stationarily mounted.

in the chamber, a spring for retaining the mounted in the tubular body,a tubular core of refractory material rigidly connected to v suchchamber, a valve stationarily mounted in the chamber, a spring forretaining the chamber in a'raised position in relation to such valve,means for making a seal between the core and the tubular body, andexternally operated means for depressing the chamber andcore against theaction of the spring 3. In an electrical cutsout in which a col-' umn ofconducting liquid constitutes the circuit breaking element, thecombination of a tubular body, a metal contact situated at each end ofsuch body, a chamber slidably mounted in the body, a tubular core ofrefractory material rigidly connected to such chamber and having atubular passage for the column of the conducting liquid restricted atsome intermediate portion of itsv length, a valve stationarily mountedin the chamber, a spring for retaining the chamber in a raised positionin relation to such valve, and externally operated means for depressingthe chamber and core against the action of the spring.

4. In an electrical cut-out in which a column of conductingliquid-constitutes the circuit breaking element, the combination of atubular body, a metal contactsituated at each end of such body, achamber slidably mounted in the tubular body, a tubular core ofrefractory material rigidly connected to such cham r, a spring forretaining ..the bhamber and core in a raised position and externallyoperated means for depressing the chamber and core against the action ofthe said spring.

5. In an electrical cut-out in which a column of conductingliquid.constitutes the circuit breaking element, the combination of a tubularbody, a metal contact. situated at each end of such body, a chamberslidably mounted in thetubular body,,a tubular core of refractorymaterial rigidly connected to,

such chamber, a spring for retaining the chamber-and core in a ralsedpositlon, ex-

ternally operated means for depressing the chamber and core against theaction of a spring and a seal for preventing escape of mercury. n n

6. In an electrical cut-out in which a col.- umn of conducting liquidconstitutes the circuit-'breaking element, the combination of'a tubularbody, a metal contact situated at each end of such body, a chamberslidably mounted in the tubular body, a tubular core of refractorymaterial rigidly connected to such chamber, and havinga portion of .thebore formed with a restricted area, a spring for retaining the chamberand core in. a

raised position and externally operated means for depressing the chamberand core against the'action of the said sprlng.

7. In anelectrical cut-out in which a colcircuit breaking element, thecombination of; a tubular body, a metal contact situated at each end ofsuchbody, a chamber slidably mounted in the tubular body, a tubular coreof refractory material rigidly connected to such chamber and having aportion of the bore formed with a restricted area, a spring forretaining the chamber and core in a raised position, externally operatedmeans for depressing the chamber and core against the action of the saidspring and a seal for preventing escape of mercury.

8. In an electrical cut-out in which a column of conducting liquidconstitutes the circuit breaking element, the combination of a tubularbody, a metal contact situated at each end of such body, a chamberslidably mounted in the tubular body, a tubular core of'refractorymaterial rigidly connected to such chamber and havinga portion of thebore formed with a restricted area, a. valve stationarily mounted in thechamber, a

spring for retaining the chamber in a raised position in relation tosuch valve, and exter nally operated means for depressing the WIIaLIAMHENRY ILLINGWORTH.

umn of conducting liquid constitutes the i

